Valentine Heart Marshmallows

Instructions

• Line a 9 x 13-in. baking dish with plastic wrap, letting a few inches hang over the sides. Lightly spray lined dish, another large piece of plastic wrap and a spatula with oil.

• Pour 1/4 cup water into the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment. Sprinkle in gelatin. Add vanilla and 10 drops food colouring, if desired. Let stand at least 2 min. Meanwhile, combine granulated sugar with corn syrup, salt and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan set over high. Boil, without stirring, for 1 min.

• With mixer on high, slowly pour hot syrup in a steady stream down the side of the bowl, beating until thick, floppy peaks form, 4 to 6 min. Using oiled spatula, scrape into prepared dish, smoothing top. Lay prepared plastic wrap, oil-side down, on marshmallow. Press down gently to smooth top. Let stand at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours.

• Whisk icing sugar with cornstarch in a small bowl. Discard top piece of plastic wrap. Sift one-third of mixture over top of marshmallow. Turn out onto a cutting board. Discard bottom plastic wrap. Sift half of remaining mixture overtop. Dip a 2-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter in mixture, then cut shapes, alternating direction. Roll cut marshmallows in remaining mixture to coat all sides.